Pool cleaning systems

ABSTRACT

An automatic cleaning system for swimming pools mixes air with the sweeper water jets so that a boiling action ensues and turbulence is promoted. The junction of the several sweeper hoses is in the form of a hollow bell into which air is progressively introduced with the result that the hollow bell and also all of the sweeper hoses migrate slowly toward the surface of the pool, thus cleaning the whole body of water. When the bell has arrived at the surface it discharges the entrapped air, again sinking to the bottom to repeat the cyclic up-and-down motion. Each of the sweeper hoses is composite, and not only discharges an air/water jet from its end, but also is provided with numerous holes along its length, into which suction draws pool water and any dirt it may contain.

United States Patent [191 Goodin Oct. 16, 1973 [54] POOL CLEANING SYSTEMS 3,577,571 5/1971 Bellinson 4/l72.l7

[76] Inventor: Raymon L. Goodin, 2227 Westoverton Rd., Tucson, Ariz. :nmary f rg Roberts 85704 ttorneyames yster [22] Filed: Mar. 17, 1971 57 S C [21] Appl. No.: 125,284 An automatic cleaning system for swimming pools mixes air with the sweeper water jets so that a boiling action ensues and turbulence is promoted. The junci tion of the several sweeper hoses is in the form of a i 134/94 1 167 R hollow bell into which air is progressively introduced :32 9/229 5 with the result that the hollow bell and also all of the 4 l5 16 l sweeper hoses migrate slowly toward the surface of the pool, thus cleaning the whole body of water. When R f d the bell has arrived at the surface it discharges the en- 6 erences l e trapped air, again sinking to the bottom to repeat the UNITED STATES PATENTS cyclic up-and-down motion. 'Each of the sweeper 1,669,631 5/1928 Smith 239/407 hoses is composite, and not only discharges an air/wa- 2 /1 l34/94 UX ter jet from its end, but also is provided with numerous holes along its length, into which suction draws 3:433:237 3/1969 lull-68 R pool water and any dirt it may contain. 3,575,729 4/1971 Howard l5/l.7 X 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PMENTEUUCI 16 I973 SHEET 10F 3 FIG,

FAY/VON L. GOOD/AF INVENTOR.

I-NFNIEDnm 15 ms 3.765432 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG. 3

234 YMO/V L. G 000//\/ INVENTOR PATENTEUUBI 1a 1915 I 3. 765,432 sum 3 or 3 FIG. 5

RAY'MON L. GOODIN OR- Aya POOL CLEANING SYSTEMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to swimming pools and more specifically to systems for automatically cleaning swimming pools.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Existing automatic pool sweeping systems employ powerful water jets projected from their sweeper hoses to dislodge particles of dirt from the bottom and sides of the pool. Although such systems are effective to a degree, it has been found that they are deficient in several respects. Some dirt is not dislodged by the water jets. The regular suction outlets in the pool bottom and at the skimmer are relied on to suck out the dirt particles after they have been dislodged by the weeper hoses but, since there is usually a considerable distance between the point of dislodgement of a dirt particle and the point of entrance to the suction system at the bottom drain and at the skimmer, the dirt particles end to settle and again to adhere to the pool bottom or wall.

Also, many such systems require additional plumbing and an additional water pump. Those systems having a floating sweeper head tend, as they move around the pool, to fail to negotiate sharp corners of the pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs jets of water mixed with air, which provide great cleaning and detaching action in removing particles of dirt from the pool bottom and walls. Mixing of air with the water jets also permits longer sweeper hoses to be used.

The invention also provides composite sweeper hoses, each consisting of a jet part and a suction part, so that a newly detached dirt particle does not have to migrate slowly for many feet to a suction exit, but is immediately and quickly captured by a suction hole in the sweeper hose.

The present invention also makes provision for the sweeper hoses to be cyclically elevated to the surface of the pool, then returned to the pool bottom, so that not only is dirt removed from the pool bottom, but also is removed from all of the walls, from the body of the water and from the water surface. Furthermore, the whole body ofwater is periodically agitated, tending to keep dirt particles in suspension.

This periodic levitation of the sweeper hoses is effected by the introduction of aerated water into a hollow chamber in which the air so introduced accumulates. The chamber thereupon becomes buoyant and rises to the surface. As all of the sweeper hoses are attached to this chamber, they also are carried upward by the rising chamber.

Thus the introduction of air into the water supplied to the pool cleaning system is vital to all three of the novel features of the system; cleaning action is enhanced, the hoses are levitated, and the aerated jets form an essential part of the composite, jet/suction sweeper hoses.

One object of this invention, then, is to provide better dirt-detaching action by mixing air with the jet water.

Another object is to increase the cleaning area and volume covered by each sweeper hose by increasing the hose length.

Still another object is to provide suction exit ports near to the jet entrance ports, in each composite sweeper hose.

Still another object is to provide means periodically to raise and lower all of the sweeper hoses between the pool bottom and surface.

A further understanding of the invention may be secured from the detailed description and the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a swimming pool containing the pool cleaning system of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bell assembly, partly in section.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view'of the bell assembly showing diagrammatically the sweeper hose junctions.

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in section, of a sweeper hose.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway elevation of one of the venturis and the associated air-adjusting valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, a swimming pool 11 is provided with the customary water recirculating motor and pump 12 and a diatomaceous earth type filter 13. The Iattr is connected by a suction pipe 14 with the intake side or terminal of water recirculating pump 16. The filter draws water from the bottom exit 17 of the pool through buried pipe 18 and from the surface of the pool through skimmer opening 19. All of this equipment is conventional and usual in swimming pools.

The pump 16 normally discharges water under pressure and, typically, at a volume rate of 35 to 40 gallons per minute (gpm) from the discharge side or terminal, through one or two outlets into the pool. However, in an installation employing this invention the pump dis charges into the pool through pipe 20 and a single outlet 21. This outlet 21 normally discharges into the pool about six or eight inches below the water surface. The outlet 21 is controlled by a valve 22. On the pressure side of valve 22 there is provided a four-way fitting 23. Side arms of the four-way fitting 23 are provided with air inlets 2S and 30, to be described later, and the side arms are connected through flexible connecting hoses 27 and 28 to a bell assembly 29. A third flexible connecting hose 31 is connected to the bell assembly 29 and through a hose fitting 32 to a pipe 33 which is connected to a tee 34 in the suction pipe 14. The three hoses 27, 28 and 31 are preferably cabled together, and have a length approximately equal to the longest dimension of the pool. These hoses should have internal diameters at least as large as those of the sweeper hoses, a suggested average size being one-half inch. The wall 'of the suction connecting hose 31 must be strong enough to prevent collapse by the suction in the hose.

The bell assembly 29 is provided with a plurality, for examplefour, of flexible composite sweeper hoses 36, 37, 38 and 39, and is more fully shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bell assembly 29 comprises a bell 41 made of plastic or metal in the form of a bell having notches such as notch 42 in its edge. These notches prevent the bell from stopping water flow through pool exit 17 in case the bell should settle over this exit.

The bell assembly includes a buoyant float 43 secured to its outside center. The buoyancy of this float must be such that, when the bell is full of water, in the pool, the float keeps the bell upright but allows the bell to settle to the bottom of the pool. The float also prevents any possibility that the bell would test on its side on the pool bottom, or if on its side would right it. However, as the bell fills with air in a manner to be explained, the buoyancy of the float is such that, at the addition of a selected amount of air in the bell the latter will float upward to the surface of the pool.

The bell assembly also includes provision for bringing the ends of flexible hoses 27, 28 and 31 in through an airtight fitting to the top of bell 41. Pressure hose 27 terminates in an open end 44 just inside the bell. Pressure hose 28 passes into the bell and terminates in a four-way fitting 46 inside the bell. Suction hose 31 passes into the bell and terminates in a four-way fitting 47 inside the bell.

The composite sweeper hoses 36, 37, 38 and 39 are identical, and their construction is shown in FIG. 4. Each composite hose comprises a thin, long pressure hose 48 and a thicker, shorter suction, or scavenging, hose 49. The thin hose 48 is threaded through and enclosed by the thicker hose 49 except that the thin hose 48 protrudes from and extends beyond the end of the thicker hose 49. The outer end of the thicker hose 49 at 51 fits closely around the thinner hose 48 but is not secured to it, so that the smaller hose can slide by a small amount'into and out of the end of the larger hose. This is desirable to allow greater flexibility of the composite hose as it moves and writhes because of the reaction of the air/water jet escaping from the end of the pressure hose. The junction between the small hose and the end of the larger hose is made of pliable material, so that when suction is maintained in the suction hose this junction is held closed and watertight.

The inner ends of hoses 48 and 49 enter the bell 41 as shown at 52, then separate inside the bell to join their respective four-way fittings 46 and 47, FIG. 3.

The pressure hose 48 may have, for example, an internal diameter of 3/16 inch, and an external diameter of 16 inch, while the suction hose 49 may, for example, have an internal diameter of It inch or '56 inch, and an external diameter /6 inch larger. The pressure hose may extend outside the suction hose a distance of two or three feet and the total length of the composite hose from the bell to the end of the pressure hose may be between six and 20 feet. This length and the diameters will vary according to the size of the pool, larger pools requiring longer sweeper hoses.

Because the use of aerated water reduces both the effective viscosity and the specific gravity of the air/water mixture, the sweeper hoses can be designed to be of greater length than if unerated water were supplied to them.

The suction hose 49 is provided with a plurality of small perforations, illustrated in F IG. 4 as perforations or holes 53. These may be various in number and pattern of arrangement along the suction hose 49, but are preferably placed in a single row so positioned along the hose as to face nearly but not exactly downward. This permits sucking water and dirt from the bottom of the pool when the composite sweeper hose lies on the bottom, but avoids excessive wear at the holes by abrasion against the bottom. Alternatively, replaceable wear rings may be placed along the composite sweeper hoses. Each hole has, for example, a diameter of riainch. The row of holes may extend for a distance of 18 to 24 inches from the outer end of the suction hose.

The air inlets 25 and 30, FIG. 1, are similar, and are illustrated in FIG. 5. The side arms 24 and 26 contain venturi restrictions as shown at 54. The size of the restricted throat determines, for a selected applied water pressure, the rate of water passage through the throat. The venturi water restriction generates reduced side wall water pressure when water under pressure is introduced into the side arm in the direction shown by arrow 56.

Provision is made for adjustably introducing air into the water passing through the venturi by providing a passage, 57, at the venturi throat and a conventional needle valve 58, or equivalent, to regulate the amount of air sucked in by the venturi.

The needle valve comprises a body 59 having a valve seat 61 and a side passage 62. A screw 63 having a needle point 64 and a head 66 is screwed into the body 59.

Thus, by means of the air valve 58, the amount of air drawn into the water stream by the reduced water pressure at the venturi throat can be accurately regulated by turning the screw head 66.

Operation of the pool cleaning system is as follows. The bell assembly 29, its sweeper hoses 36, 37, 38 and 39, and its connecting hoses 27, 28 and 31, are lowered into the pool. The recirculating pump unit 12 is started and valve 22 is closed somewhat to force water flow through the venturis in the side arms 24 and 26. These two venturis have different diameters of throats, so that the rate of flow through side arm 24, feeding the bell 41, is preferably at 1- /4 gallons per minute (gpm) or slightly greater, and the rate'of flow through side arm 26, feeding the sweeper hoses, is at about 5 or 6 gpm, so that the water rate to each of the four sweeper hoses is about 1% gpm. The air valves 25 and 30 are now gradually opened to the desired adjustment. Valve 30 regulates the amount of air intermixed with the water flowing through the sweeper pressure hoses 48 and discharged through their ends into the pool in a boiling, turbulent manner. Valve 25 regulates the amount of air intermixed with the water flowing through connecting hose 27 into the bell 41. This air gradually accumulates inside the bell until the point is reached at which the bell, with its connected hoses, becomes buoyant and rises from the bottom of the pool to its surface. The time required for enough air to accumulate in the bell will vary from a few minutes up. A normal setting of valve 25 would be such that a time of 10 or 12 minutes would be required to inject enough air into the bell to render it buoyant.

The water/air mixture jetting from the ends of the sweeper hoses will cause them to writhe over the floor of the pool, and the turbulent and boiling action of the water jets will cause them to be many times more efficient in detaching dirt and getting it into the water than if the water were not aerated. The suction holes in the sweeper hoses will capture immediately most of the dirt particles thus detached.

When the buoyant effect of air accumulated in the bell, aiding the buoyant effect of the float 43, raises the bell from the pool bottom, the bell will migrate slowly toward the surface while the float 43 keeps the bell upright. When, finally, the bell reaches the surface, the float 43 will begin to rise above the surface until a point is reached when the bell becomes unstable and topples to one side. This permits the air within the bell to escape to the atmosphere, when the bell, again assuming its upright position, sinks to the bottom of the pool, and

the cycle commences again.

The point to which the bell settles to the pool bottom will in general be random, and at the end of each cycle the bell will each time settle to a new and different spot. Thus the bell will move throughout the body of the pool water, migrating both horizontally and vertically.

Of course, stopping of the recirculation pump will stop the action of the pool cleaning system. If it is desired to stop the movements of the sweeper hoses and of the bell without stopping the recirculating pump, the valve 22 may be opened fully. lf it is desired to stop the vertical rise and fall of the bell without stopping the actions of the sweeper hoses, the air intake valve 25 may be completely closed, thus stopping introduction of air into the bell.

It is evident that an alternative, equivalent construction may be employed, in which the side arms 24 and 26, with their associated venturis, are moved to the bell assembly 29, thus allowing the hoses 27 and 28 to be replaced by a single hose. Further, the four, or other number, of sweeper hoses can be served by one or several venturis.

I claim:

1. A pool cleaning system which comprises:

a hollow chamber having an opening therein and having attached thereto a plurality of sweeper hoses;

supply hoses for supplying pressurized water to said sweeper hoses; and

means for supplying air to the interior of said chamber, whereby said chamber, said sweeper hoses and said supply hoses associated therewith, being sufficiently heavy so that the water-filled chamber normally rests on the bottom of the pool, as air displaces water in the chamber it becomes increasingly buoyant so that, when water is sufficiently displaced, discharging through said opening, the chamber rises to the surface of the pool.

2. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim comprising:

a swimming pool;

a water recirculating pump;

an intake pipe system connecting said pump to said pool for supplying water to the pump;

a discharge pipe system connecting the pump to the pool for supplying pressurized water from the pump to the pool;

an air injection system in said discharge pipe system injecting air into the discharge water thereof;

flexible hose means connecting said discharge pipe system to said hollow chamber and terminating in the cavity thereof, whereby air injected by said air injection system accumulates in said cavity, forcing water therefrom through said opening.

3. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim hoses and all associated flexible hose means and supply hoses are heavier than water when the hollow structure is filled with water but said hollow structure and connected parts are buoyant and float when the hollow structure is filled withair. 4. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim 3 in which said hollow structure is bell-shaped whereby when it is filled with air and rises to the pool water surface it becomes unstable due to its shape and the weight of the buoyant element and the flexible hose means and supply hoses projecting out of the water and falls sideways, discharging the air contained in its cavity, whereupon the bell assembly sinks.

5. In a swimming pool having a water recirculating pump including an intake terminal and a discharge terminal, an intake pipe system connecting said intake terminal to said pool, and a discharge pipe system connectingsaid discharge terminal to said pool, a pool cleaning system comprising:

a plurality of sweeper hoses in said pool; central means in said pool to which all of said sweeper hoses are attached, the central means containing a cavity:

first means connecting said central means to said discharge pipe system whereby water under pressure is supplied to said sweeper hose;

second means connecting said central means to said discharge pipe system whereby water under pressure is provided to said cavity;

means for injecting air into the water supplied to the sweeper hoses, whereby said aerated water is made turbulent; and

means for injecting air into the water provided to said cavity, whereby said central means is made buoyant enough to elevate it and the attached sweeper hoses up and through the water of said pool.

6. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim 5 in which:

said sweeper hoses are composite hoses each having a pressure hose part emitting a jet and a suction hose part; and

means are included connecting said central means to said intake pipe system whereby water under suction is drawn from said suction hose parts, therefore scavenging water and dirt from the immediate vicinity of each said jet. 

1. A pool cleaning system which comprises: a hollow chamber having an opening therein and having attached thereto a plurality of sweeper hoses; supply hoses for supplying pressurized water to said sweeper hoses; and means for supplying air to the interior of said chamber, whereby said chamber, said sweeper hoses and said supply hoses associated therewith, being sufficiently heavy so that the water-filled chamber normally rests on the bottom of the pool, as air displaces water in the chamber it becomes increasingly buoyant so that, when water is sufficiently displaced, discharging through said opening, the chamber rises to the surface of the pool.
 2. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim 1 comprising: a swimming pool; a water recirculating pump; an intake pipe system connecting said pump to said pool for supplying water to the pump; a discharge pipe system connecting the pump to the pool for supplying pressurized water from the pump to the pool; an air injection system in said discharge pipe system injecting air into the discharge water thereof; flexible hose means connecting said discharge pipe system to said hollow chamber and terminating in the cavity thereof, whereby air injected by said air injection system accumulates in said cavity, forcing water therefrom through said opening.
 3. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim 2 in which said hollow chamber comprises: a hollow structure having an open bottom and watertight sides and top; and a buoyant element connected to the top of said hollow structure, the buoyancy thereof being so adjusted that the combination of the buoyant element and the hollow structure, together with the sweeper hoses and all associated flexible hose means and supply hoses are heavier than water when the hollow structure is filled with water but said hollow structure and connected parts are buoyant and float when the hollow structure is filled with air.
 4. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim 3 in which said hollow structure is bell-shaped whereby when it is filled with air and rises to the pool water surface it becomes unstable due to its shape and the weight of the buoyant element and the flexible hose means and supply hoses projecting out of the water and falls sideways, discharging the air contained in its cavity, whereupon the bell assembly sinks.
 5. In a swimming pool having a water recirculating pump including an intake terminal and a discharge terminal, an intake pipe system connecting said intake terminal to said pool, and a discharge pipe system connecting said discharge terminal to said pool, a pool cleaning system comprising: a plurality of sweeper hoses in said pool; central means in said pool to which all of said sweeper hoses are attached, the central means containing a cavity: first means connecting said central means to said discharge pipe system whereby water under pressure is supplied to said sweeper hose; second means connecting said central means to said discharge pipe system whereby water under pressure is provided to said cavity; means for injecting air into the water supplied to the sweeper hoses, whereby said aerated water is made turbulent; and means for injecting air into the water provided to said cavity, whereby said central means is made buoyant enough to elevate it and the attached sweeper hoses up and through the water of said pool.
 6. A pool cleaning system in accordance with claim 5 in which: said sweeper hoses are composite hoses each having a pressure hose part emitting a jet and a suction hose part; and means are included connecting said central means to said intake pipe system whereby water under suction is drawn from said suction hose parts, therefore scavenging water and dirt from the immediate vicinity of each said jet. 